As we have moved to virtual briefings, I have increasingly been excerpting short video segments (with permission ) as part of my Analyst Cam series. https://bit.ly/34eWDMD
This time it is Carlos Oliveira, CTO of Algramo, which is helping CPG companies rethink packaging and refilling of cleaning, personal care, pet food and other products which are today mostly sold in plastic containers. Based in Santiago, Chile, Algramo translates to “by the gram”.
Algramo’s delivery mechanism is a vending machine dispenser where consumers refill in their reusable smart containers. Carlos says these containers can last up to 250 uses. RFID IDs in the containers and mobile apps help track consumption, container life and reuse patterns and also have a gamification angle. Carlos goes into some of the dispensing and sanitation technology.
The value propositions - Retailers save on shelf space. Producers like Unilever, Nestle, Colgate and Clorox are some of their customers who ship in bulk and save on packaging. Consumers pay for bite-size purchases at their point of need e,g, detergents are sold in public laundromats. The world benefits from reduced plastic pollution. Carlos presents on data on their plastic, water and C02 savings
Carlos gave me a personal invite to go test his dispensers in Chile! But closer to many of us they are at the following locations if you want to support this creative contribution to sustainable world.
San Francisco
- Target, 115 4th St, San Francisco, CA 94103
NYC
- 259 Malcolm X Blvd, Brooklyn, NY 11233
- 141 Flushing Ave Building 77, Brooklyn, NY 11205
- 115 4th St, San Francisco, CA 94103, United States
- Brooklyn Navy Yard (Building 77) - 141 Flushing Ave, Brooklyn NY 11205
- Essex Market - 88 Essex St, New York, NY 10002
London
- Lidl, Stalling's Ln, Kingswinford DY6 7BG
They are also represented in Indonesia and soon will have presence in Mexico. Carlos explains how they decide on global expansion.
They were introduced to me by SAP.iO Foundries, which represent SAP’s startup programs, including accelerators, that enable startups that can deliver value to SAP customers (see their presentation here ). Algramo was one of the startups in their Sustainability cohort last year.
